Real outcomes

Real changes

Real lives

2014Annual Review

Chair & Chief Executive’s ReportThe national and local economic climate remains challenging for all of us in the world of social care and support, as national and local budgets for social care are reduced. New legislation has brought changes in education, health and social care that promote person centred approaches towards better life outcomes.

We know that Daybreak is well placed to play its part going forward by supporting people with learning disabilities towards good health, employment, independent living and being part of their community in adult life. Our staff have worked hard to meet this years’ interesting challenges, while offering high quality support for our 160 service users throughout our centres and outreach activities.

At Daybreak, staff get to know their service users’ needs to ensure individualised programmes of support are in place which make a positive difference to people’s lives. We listen to what is important to our service users and work closely with families, carers and care planners to understand what is important for them. Individuals are supported to achieve better life outcomes, such as the acquisition of new skills, or to becoming work ready, or to make and maintain friendships. The evidence shows us that Daybreak fosters happier, healthier people with increased confidence and self-esteem. At Daybreak we welcome adults with varying levels of need, some of whom have autism, physical disabilities or dementia and some with quite challenging behaviour. We ensure that each service user has their own personal development plan suited to their individual needs and focused on their own outcomes. These outcomes can be big or small and are as individual as the adults we support.

In the coming year, our Newcastle Centre moves from the Ouseburn Valley to the Montagu Centre based at Cowgate. The new centre will increase our capacity to support more service users. Whilst, in line with our business plan, we will, through person centred approaches, increase the range of services we offer, particularly to those with complex needs and autism.

Mary our new Chief Executive is looking forward to the year ahead and to leading Daybreak through a time of national change. She will build on the organisations’ best practice to enhance our person centred ethos. Another successful year will see Daybreak again make a positive difference to the lives of adults with a range of learning disabilities across the North East of England.

We hope you enjoy reading about some of our service users’ highlights and achievements from throughout the year.

Mary Curran Douglas Ball

Anna and Hannah

Gordon

Neil

Paul and Josephine

Hannah and Anna are best friends who met at Daybreak and now live together. Their friendship and the skills they have developed at Daybreak have helped drastically reduce their support needs. They now live independently, with just enough support.

Gordon is usually in our music and sensory session, but he tried arts and crafts and was so proud of the fact that his painting was displayed on the wall for all to see.

“I don’t have a computer at home, so I have liked learning how to use one at Daybreak. I like to use the internet to find my favourite bands and listen to music”.

Paul and Josephine met at Daybreak and are now boyfriend and girlfriend. They had their first date at a restaurant in Hexham.

Another year: More real changes...

My home.

My learning.

My life

My happiness.

My work.

My money.

Benjamin

Thanks to the training, encouragement and support Anthony has received from Daybreak in his I.T and Cookery sessions, he has started a catering course at college. Anthony said “Thank you, Daybreak, for all the help you’ve given me”.

Benjamin’s mum met another mum at Minseteracres’ Summer Fete, who told her about the evening club. The club now gives Benjamin the chance to meet up with his friends, and make new ones every Friday night.

Anthony

Elizabeth S

Elizabeth is learning to eat more healthily, and this given her the confidence to go to Slimming World. With the encouragement and support of everyone at Daybreak, Elizabeth is starting to see positive results. She says, “I have lost 2lb this week”.

Elizabeth D

Elizabeth is now able to make cups of tea at home. Her mum says, “It makes Elizabeth very happy when her Dad says her tea is lovely and better than mine!”

...More real achievements...

My health.

My happiness.

My community.

My life. My work.

My money.

Jennifer

“I have learnt how to make cards, decorate cakes and do flower arranging.” Jennifer is encouraged to practice these skills at home with her sister.

Yvonne (back left)

“I had the chance to go on holiday with

my friends from Daybreak. I had a great time and did things I’d never done

before.” Yvonne went rock climbing and canoeing with support. Here is one of her

holiday snaps.

Stephen

“October has been busy for me. I have been helping Daybreak to move to the new Montagu Centre. This has helped me get ready for my own move from my family home to my new home.”

Shaun

“I have enjoyed meeting different people. Before I came to Daybreak this was hard for me.”

...More real outcomes, for real lives.

My community.

My money.

My work.

My home. My learning.

My life. My happiness.

Service users at all three Daybreak Centres have the opportunity to develop their social skills, as well as gain varied life experience by taking part in a variety of community projects. For example, a group of service users now regularly visit Acomb Court Care Home. This is a chance to interact with and to benefit another potentially isolated group. They socialise with residents, and play games such as dominoes, cards and jigsaws.

“The residents like to meet and interact with new people, and this gives them more time to socialise. It promotes independence and gives them the opportunity to take part in social activities.” Kerry, Care Home Worker.

Daybreak’s service users in the community

We welcomed over 20 volunteers this yearAlex joined Daybreak in September 2013, as a Volunteer Administration Assistant. Her aim was to gain experience in an office environment, and develop her skills.

Jill, Daybreak’s Secretary, said, “Alex was reliable and would turn her hand to anything… She soon became a valued member of the team.” Alex also supported service users, Katie and Sharne, to gain voluntary experience of working in an office, as this was something they had expressed an interest in.

Daybreak were thrilled to hear Alex had secured full-time employment with the NHS as an Office Clerk, but were sad to see her go.

If you are interested in becoming a Daybreak Volunteer, please get in touch.Alex (centre) with Katie

(left) and Sharne (right)

Promoting inclusion and independence

Service user, David, with one of the residents

Service users, Stephen and James

About our Money

Income from charitable activities

Direct costs of service provision

Voluntary income from grants

Charity 514827 | Company 01780839© Daybreak. November, 2014

Daybreak, Acomb (Head Office) Network House, Acomb, Hexham, Northumberland, NE46 4SA. Centre Manager | Angela Stockill

Daybreak, Minsteracres The Walled Garden, Minsteracres, Consett, County Durham, DH8 9RT.

Centre Manager | Cath Colborn

Daybreak, Montagu The Cowgate Centre, Houghton Avenue, Cowgate, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE5 3UT.

Centre Manager | Christine Martin

01434 608 118 | info@daybreakcentres.co.uk

www.daybreakcentres.co.uk

About Daybreak

Our charity’s mission is “to promote, encourage and support adults with learning disabilities to lead happy, independent, socially inclusive and healthy lives”. We have three centres: Acomb, Hexham; Minsteracres, Consett; and our Newcastle centre, which is at the Montagu Centre in Cowgate.

Daybreak understands the barriers that people with learning disabilities face, including discrimination, isolation, and social exclusion. We aim to overcome these barriers, by providing varied life skills training; supported volunteer experiences; as well as sporting, leisure and cultural activities. We help service users to reach their full potential, lead fulfilling and purposeful lives, and contribute to their communities.

Our vision is ‘a world where people are valued for their differences’.

Many thanks to the following organisations & individuals for their support: Northern Rock Foundation | EDF Green Energy Fund | Esmee Fairbairn Foundation

The Henry Smith Charity | CSEP (Big Lottery) | The Bailey Thomas Fund Community Foundation | William Leech Charitable Foundation | Joicey Trust

Lloyds TSB Foundation | Derwentside Rotary Club | North Shields Rotary Club Dave & Dawn Nicholson of Nicholson Construction along with Stocksfield Golf Club

Kevin & Jenny Wilkes

Chief Executive Officer Mary Curran

Chair of Trustees

Douglas Ball

Trustees Dai Bryson

Trish Thompson Dr. R J George

Helena Hay Emma Jennings

Many thanks to our service users, staff, and volunteers, past and present,

who have made us who we are today.

Daybreak’s investment in low carbon technologies helps reduce our impact on the environment, keeps our energy

costs low, and provides us with additional income.